Kick and chase at the Reebok

jimbo · Post by **jimbo** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:01 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 044751.stm

Sale Sharks will play next year's Premiership home match against London Irish at the Reebok Stadium.

The stadium is home to Premier League side Bolton Wanderers and holds a capacity of 28,200.

Attendances at Sale's Edgeley Park ground have fallen in recent years and their opening two Premiership fixture attracted fewer than 8,000 fans.

But the club are targeting a sell-out at the game, which is to be played on Saturday, 16 April 2011 at 1730 BST.

The Reebok has previously hosted rugby league matches but this will be the first game of rugby union played on the ground.

We want to show the North West some real ambition and give the region a rugby team that they can truly be proud to support.

Sale's chief executive Mick Hogan

Sale chief executive Mick Hogan said: "Today's announcement is the culmination of nearly 12 months of work.

"We now have four months to achieve a sell out crowd, and I truly believe that there are almost 30,000 people in the North West who would like to attend a live game of Sale Sharks' rugby.

"We want to show the North West some real ambition and give the region a rugby team that they can truly be proud to support.

"This isn't a one-off either, we have an agreement with Bolton that will see us bring a Premiership game to the Reebok Stadium over each of the next three seasons."

Not seen it mentioned anywhere on here today so here it is. Sale are using the Reebok to host 1 match for the next 3 seasons. Granted we'll be getting money from it, and the ground has been used for loads of rugby games in the past, but not sure we really need it this time. All it's going to do is screw up the pitch which is better than ever. There's also a decent possibility that it will be used for another game this year around February time.

ratbert · Post by **ratbert** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:08 pm

A Sharks supporting friend at work says that the team is less than happy with the pitch and facilities at Edgeley Park and looking to get out.

I'd have thought ground sharing with a Super League team a la Harlequins would be a better option. Bolton Sharks? Bolton Braves?

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:08 pm

Haven't we got the World Club Challenge cup next year?

Its all income, though with us being Arsenal mark II now, I can see it affecting our game.

jimbo · Post by **jimbo** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:33 pm

Guessing if Saints win on Saturday they'll have the WCC at the Reebok as they have in the past. Wigan shouldn't need to as they've got the JJB that they can hold it in.

Armchair Wanderer · Post by **Armchair Wanderer** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:36 pm

Even on the first couple of games of the season the grass was a bit patchy in places. Can see it becoming a cabbage patch!

jimbo · Post by **jimbo** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:39 pm

Armchair Wanderer wrote:Even on the first couple of games of the season the grass was a bit patchy in places. Can see it becoming a cabbage patch!

On Sunday I commented how great it looked. Guessing the concerts over the summer didn't help it much. A couple of rugger games is the last thing it needs. April has a tendency to be a pretty damp time of the year as well so it'll be incredibly cut up.

jimbo · Post by **jimbo** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:40 pm

Also, would anyone on here be tempted to go to this? Can't see how it would work too well - not far enough from Sale to attract a truly new fan base, and in the middle of rugby league country.

boltonboris · Post by **boltonboris** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:25 pm

jimbo wrote:Also, would anyone on here be tempted to go to this? Can't see how it would work too well - not far enough from Sale to attract a truly new fan base, and in the middle of rugby league country.

Unless they plan on giving away 10,000 free tickets to families in the region.. It won't be full

William the White · Post by **William the White** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:41 pm

not tempted to attend.

do not want it to happen - they'll feck up the pitch...

Worthy4England · Post by **Worthy4England** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:48 pm

William the White wrote:not tempted to attend.

do not want it to happen - they'll feck up the pitch...

I like me rugby, but like yourself WtW, concerned about the pitch.

That said, unless crowds start picking up, and with our finances being what they are at the minute, alternative money generating schemes are likely to be on the increase rather than decrease (and before anyone starts on "people from Bolton not attending", there were a few thousand United fans short of their normal turn-out, last week too - anyone remember the last time the away end sold out both tiers?)

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:51 pm

United haven't sold out their ST's this year, is my understanding. Obviously nowt to do with the economy or anything.

Armchair Wanderer · Post by **Armchair Wanderer** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:13 pm

Worthy4England wrote:That said, unless crowds start picking up, and with our finances being what they are at the minute, alternative money generating schemes are likely to be on the increase rather than decrease (and before anyone starts on "people from Bolton not attending", there were a few thousand United fans short of their normal turn-out, last week too - anyone remember the last time the away end sold out both tiers?)

How many can fit in the away end?

CAPSLOCK · Post by **CAPSLOCK** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:16 pm

Which tickets did United fail to sell?

Worthy4England · Post by **Worthy4England** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:21 pm

Armchair Wanderer wrote:
Worthy4England wrote:That said, unless crowds start picking up, and with our finances being what they are at the minute, alternative money generating schemes are likely to be on the increase rather than decrease (and before anyone starts on "people from Bolton not attending", there were a few thousand United fans short of their normal turn-out, last week too - anyone remember the last time the away end sold out both tiers?)
How many can fit in the away end?

I'm guessing it's 9,000 down the sides and 5,000 in each end, or 10,000 down the sides and 4,000 in each end?

Armchair Wanderer · Post by **Armchair Wanderer** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:24 pm

CAPSLOCK wrote:Which tickets did United fail to sell?

It looks like that whole end is allocated for away fans. It looked like they sold most of their allocation but didn't ask for any more when the demand dried up.

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:26 pm

Caps is being his usual belligerent self. United fans stand and therefore don't get given the full allocation anymore. Which doesn't change the fact that every club is experiencing a drop in attendances.

CAPSLOCK · Post by **CAPSLOCK** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:32 pm

Lord Kangana wrote:Caps is being his usual belligerent self. United fans stand and therefore don't get given the full allocation anymore. Which doesn't change the fact that every club is experiencing a drop in attendances.

Not in the least bit belligerent

Fact was it was suggested United didn't sell out, but they did

Uniteds attendance at our place doesn't paint a true picture, anyway

A (very) significant % of their allocation doesn't go on sale

It is held back for staff and corporates

Thats why there was much less black and much more red and white than there would've been 5 years back

jaffka · Post by **jaffka** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:57 pm

I go watching Sale so I will be there.

Hoboh · Post by **Hoboh** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 5:05 am

The clue is the reebok is a football ground not a rugby ground! feck um!!!

Bungle · Post by **Bungle** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:00 am

Why will it feck up the pitch?
Is there any proof that this happens?

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